The first age of a child is necessarily a source of great concern for parents. Indeed, the baby is particularly fragile and may be prone to many childhood diseases, a large number of ailments are accompanied by a fever.
A cold or an inevitable dental flare will quickly be associated with a rise in the body temperature of the child, which is a natural reaction of the body to fight against infections. In any case, one must be able to take the precise measure of the temperature of his child, this is the role of the baby thermometer.
Why use a baby thermometer?
Fever is usually a minor phenomenon and corresponds to a simple manifestation of the human body defending against infection. The external signs can be detected by the parents, and include a feeling of tiredness in the child, a decrease of his appetite, the impression that he has a fast and inefficient breathing, the baby can also present chills ...
In all these cases, one can of course think of fever. But with what certainty and with what intensity? The only way to make sure that the child has a fever is to take his temperature and in these conditions, the baby thermometer is the only reliable instrument for parents. This reflex should not be trivial especially when the sick child is very young. The tolerance to fever is indeed very limited in the infant before his three months, and it is essential to know as soon as possible what is the exact temperature of the baby.
To do this, a baby thermometer is obviously the most relevant solution. Does the child have more than 38.5 degrees? Has the coolness of the room allowed to lower its temperature? A thermometer alone can answer these questions. It should be added that current baby thermometers are far removed from those who populate the collective unconscious and they are very easy to use, in addition to being fast and accurate.
In sum their use is in total adequation with the rest and the well-being of the babies, thus it is necessary to forget the invasive and constraining measuring instrument which could be present in our childhood. The modern baby thermometer is the reverse of a virtually invisible use for the child. Ideally, it will not even realize that a temperature has been taken.
Baby thermometer: the best models as rated by parents
Braun Digital Ear Thermometer
La technologie ThermoScan de Braun est reconnue par le milieu médical, et en fait la marque la plus utilisée actuellement par les médecins. Elle utilise la chaleur générée naturelle à l’intérieur de l’oreille pour exercer une détection de la température au plus près du cerveau, et assurer ainsi une précision exceptionnelle, proche de la température centrale interne. Le thermomètre bébé Braun Thermoscan 7 enregistre ainsi les moindres variations, beaucoup plus finement que par prise de température rectale.
Les embouts du thermomètre sont souples, ce qui permet une introduction facile et sans douleur ni inconfort dans l’oreille de l’enfant, même nouveau-né, sans abîmer la membrane auriculaire. Ces embouts sont préchauffés par une technologie brevetée Braun, évitant ainsi de refroidir la zone de détection et de fausser la prise de température. Ces embouts sont jetables, et ne contiennent ni Bisphenol A ni latex.
Pour vérifier la bonne orientation du thermomètre bébé et assurer une utilisation optimale, le système de guidage ExacTemp de Braun confirme le positionnement par un bip sonore et un voyant lumineux, et permet une prise de température en quelques secondes dans des conditions parfaites.
Le thermomètre bébé Braun Thermoscan 7 intègre également la technologie Age Precision. Une température considérée comme normale sur un enfant de cinq ans ou sur un adulte ne l’est pas forcément sur un nouveau-né. Il suffit d’entrer l’âge de l’enfant le Thermoscan 7, et de prendre la température. Le thermomètre se charge d’interpréter le résultat, et le restitue en vert, orange ou rouge, selon la gravité de la fièvre. Pour en suivre l’évolution, il conserve en mémoire les neuf dernières mesures.
Forehead and Ear Thermometer for Fever by DrKea
The Forehead and Ear Thermometer for Fever by DrKea allows a practical and very fast temperature measurement, whether in frontal (3 seconds) or auricular (1 second) mode, without having to undress the child: it is used when sweeping the forehead area above the eyebrows, or by introduction into the ear.
Its infrared sensor uses the energy emitted by the skin or the ear membrane to deliver a precise temperature reading to the nearest tenth of a degree. It memorizes the previous 12 measurements, and displays the last reading when it is turned on, thus making it possible to quickly follow the evolution of the fever.
The ergonomics of this baby thermometer have been designed for quick and easy use: a soft beep and a light indicate the beginning and end of the detection. Its rounded shape allows a good grip. Its wide backlit screen ensures good readability of the results. It is therefore usable at night, even when the child is asleep. If 37.5 ° is exceeded, an integrated warning warns of a possible fever: the display lights up red, and 10 short beeps are heard.
The tip of this thermometer is washable, and does not require a disposable tip protection. This baby thermometer has additional functions: thanks to its wide range of measurements (from 0 ° to 100 ° C), it allows a frontal temperature measurement, auricular, but also to check the temperature of the milk of a bottle or the bath of a baby, placing it just on the surface of the liquid, without soaking it.
Kinsa QuickCare Smart Digital Thermometer for All Ages
Kinsa's latest digital Bluetooth Thermometer is very easy to use, and requires no learning. It is electronic: it is a classic, with great reliability. It allows a rectal temperature measurement, buccal, and can also be used under the armpits. It will then be necessary to adapt the results according to the body temperature standards indicated in the leaflet. In 10 seconds, the reading is done with a precision of one-tenth of a degree.
It's a bluetooth device which comes with a wireless connection to your smartphone.
For better monitoring, it is advisable, with this type of digital baby thermometers, to take readings at fixed times. Results alerts are simplified: if the child's temperature exceeds 37.8 °, in addition to writing the temperature on the backlit display, close-up beeps will alert you to a fever. If the baby does not have a temperature, in addition to the end of survey signal, spaced beeps tell you that everything is fine. The last temperature remains in all cases stored until the next use.
The soft tip allows a smooth use. For optimal hygiene, the thermometer and its tip are washable and completely waterproof. It is advisable to clean it with water and disinfect it with alcohol at 90 ° before and after each use. The Béaba ThermoBip baby thermometer has a battery saving function: it stops automatically after a few minutes of inactivity. Its hard case makes it convenient to carry, and its variation in four bright colors makes it easy to fit into any diaper bag.
Oral and Rectal Thermometer for Children
The DT-R1221AWG thermometer is part of the family of rectal thermometers, but can of course be used orally or under the armpit. This baby thermometer is equipped with the "Highspeed Technology" system, allowing an ultra-fast measurement of body temperature, usually observed between 4 and 8 seconds after insertion. Its electronic sensor ensures high precision and reliability.
It is used in a traditional way and does not require any special knowledge: a beep indicates the start and stop of the device, and ten beeps indicate the end of the temperature measurement. Its large LCD display shows in large characters the measurement found. This is stored in memory and will be displayed on startup during the next use. Its battery saving function automatically stops the device in case of prolonged non-use. It is a simple, effective, and usable without learning.
Its very flexible body makes it usable on a child from birth safely, without fear of hurting him in case of sudden movement. Its fine gold tip reduces the risk of allergies to other metals, and its body also hypoallergenic does not contain latex. The Bébé Confort 32000141 thermometer is waterproof: its cleaning is easy, and requires only water and soap.
Its small size (about 12.5cm x 2.5cm) and its lightness allow it to be taken everywhere and to be available for everyday use or as a supplement. It can also be used to check the temperature of the bath water.
How to pick the best baby thermometer? We tell you everything!
The different types of thermometers
There are different types of thermometers to measure the temperature in different parts of the body.
Medical Thermometer
In appearance, the medical thermometer resembles the classic mercury thermometer, it is the one we think spontaneously. Fortunately, mercury is now replaced by carbon since mercury thermometers could break in children's mouths. A medical thermometer is completely safe, it can be used by taking anal or axillary, that is to say under the armpits.
To have a reliable result, it takes a measurement time that equates to approximately three minutes. In other words, it should be kept in mind that the sick child must remain calm and relatively immobile during all this time so as not to distort the temperature rise. To obtain this one, it is necessary to tilt the thermometer in profile, just as it is done with a conventional thermometer.
Frontal Thermometer
A frontal thermometer has the appearance of a plasticized bar, which can be affixed to the forehead of the sick baby. It is therefore a gentle method to take the temperature of an infant, who will often not notice the presence of the thermometer on his forehead. Technically, this instrument is very easy to use since it suffices to pass the tip of the thermometer on the forehead and instantly, the temperature is displayed.
The advantage is to obtain a measurement very quickly and without any constraint. However, it must be kept in mind that the result obtained must be considered as an indication and will not have the degree of reliability that can be offered by other means of taking temperature.
Auricular thermometer
As its name suggests, an ear thermometer takes the temperature by placing itself on the ear. In doing so, the instrument will measure the temperature of the eardrum of the child, which corresponds to a very reliable method. In fact, the temperature of the eardrum is equivalent to that of the brain, and the setting is particularly precise because of the absence of disturbing factors such as movement or drafts.
For an ideal and optimal use, it is enough that the ear is released and that the thermometer is correctly oriented in the direction of the eardrum. These two conditions fulfilled, the auricular baby thermometer offers a precise result little binding for the baby. The duration of the manipulation is reduced to a few seconds and the display is done electronically, for better readability.
Non-contact thermometer
For maximum convenience and comfort for the child, the non-contact thermometer measures the body temperature of the baby without any physical contact. Obviously, its advantages are easily guessed since the child will not experience the slightest discomfort when taking its temperature and also there will be no need to clean the instrument after use.
This modern technique nevertheless has a lower reliability than other methods because due to the absence of body contact, the temperature is not quite accurate. It is generally recommended to add a degree to the figure obtained. It is in any case an easy-to-use indicator, which will give the first information on the severity of the baby's fever.
Electronic thermometer
The electronic thermometer includes various types of models that allow a measurement of the oral, anal or axillary temperature. These instruments benefit from modern advances in technology and can have many features, so an electronic thermometer has the ability to signal by means of a "beep" the exceeding of the optimal temperature.
In addition, the battery present in the device offers the advantage of keeping the previous readings of temperature in memory, in order to easily follow the evolution of the symptoms in the child. These electronic thermometers, for the sake of modernity and practicality, often use olivary tips, safe for the infant and specially designed for him
Pacifier thermometer Original variant of the electronic baby thermometer, the pacifier thermometer is as its name suggests, a pacifier that also serves as a measure of the temperature of the child when placed in the mouth of it. In this case, the temperature is of course oral and the process is based on the fact that far from being invasive, the thermometer will instead be comforting and soothing for the sick child. The nipple works with a battery and the result is obtained quickly, it appears digitally without the nipple needs to be removed from the child's mouth. The method may allow continuous measurement, as long as the infant keeps the pacifier in the mouth.
The methods of taking temperature
As in adults, various methods of taking temperature are possible for the baby. It can be done by mouth, axillary or rectal.
oral
Intuitively, the temperature measurement by the mouth may seem the most obvious. The process is simple: just place the thermometer under the baby's tongue in the back of the mouth. This system is reliable if a set of conditions are met. Care must be taken to ensure that the process could not be distorted by external disturbances, artificially increasing or decreasing the temperature of the infant.
Indeed, the consumption of a cool drink by the baby, or on the contrary of a hot drink, can interfere with the taking of temperature if it took place shortly before the survey. In the same way, simply breathing through the baby's mouth can affect the accuracy of the thermometer. Under these circumstances, there may be a difference of one degree from the actual temperature, which must be added or subtracted as appropriate.
axillary
The axillary temperature is taken under the arms of the small, in this sense it is a process which can be more pleasant for the child than a mouth or rectal catch. This method makes it possible to quickly check if the baby has a fever with the minimum of constraints. However, the temperature is only at the surface of the skin, ie an axillary thermometer does not provide information on the core temperature.
In some cases, there may even be a discrepancy between the axillary temperature measured and the actual core temperature, since the skin surface temperature found by the axillary thermometer may increase more slowly and go unnoticed. Anyway, if the fever persists, the temperature measured by the armpits will necessarily detect it later.
rectal
Traditional method to obtain the temperature of a child, the rectal catch remains nonetheless very reliable in addition to being always practiced. Its main disadvantage is of course that this system appears as uncomfortable and embarrassing for the baby. The latter may struggle during the temperature rise and thus to hurt himself.
With this use, you must also scrupulously respect the hygiene rules by washing the thermometer after each use. That said, it should be mentioned that when the instrument is inserted gently it is supported by the small, moreover it offers a perfect reliability since it gives a real insight of the central temperature.
The criteria for choosing a baby thermometer
The different types of thermometers being presented as well as the main temperature taps, let's now see the selection criteria.
Efficiency
Thermometers offer a different efficiency depending on the method of taking the temperature and the instrument itself. The most effective thermometer is the one that immediately informs about the central temperature of the child, which is the case of the rectal method. This temperature measurement will provide precise information on the presence of fever or not in the child, and if so of what importance. Thus for a baby, the rectal method remains the most reliable, an electronic thermometer also allows to record the temperature found.
This can be useful if the child is agitated and you do not have time to quickly observe the temperature read by the thermometer. With a digital display, doubt is not allowed. The axillary method can be a good compromise at first, especially when the child is refractory to rectal decision. This will give you a first idea about the baby's temperature. In case of high temperature, to have an accurate reading it will be sufficient to use the rectal method.
practicality
Obviously, the choice of an electronic and contactless thermometer is synonymous with increased practicality. The digital display makes it possible to consult quickly and without any doubt the temperature of the baby, as for the absence of contact, it guarantees an operation without any inconvenience for the child. Conversely, taking oral or rectal temperature can quickly become synonymous with discomfort for an already sick and agitated child, which can distort the temperature reading or even in the worst case, cause the child to hurt himself.
However, the non-contact thermometer is not as accurate as a rectal temperature measurement that directly measures the central temperature. The contactless method can thus appear as an intermediary method and to be privileged at first because of its practicality. If it detects the presence of fever in the child, the parents can then make a more reliable but less convenient catch, such as the rectal method.
Spare tips
For the sake of hygiene, thermometers offer tips that are to be cleaned imperatively after each use and to replace after several temperature readings, or even for the sake of convenience, to discard after each use. These are disposable tips, more and more common for thermometers using the rectal and auricular method. These tips are sold by lot, at low cost and exempt to clean the tip with water and soap or alcohol after each use.
Price
It is possible to find quality thermometers at all prices. The cheapest are between 5 and 10 euros, and can have a long enough display time. Nevertheless, the first price digital thermometers are usually sold for less than ten euros, and it is possible to have the correct display of the baby's temperature between 10 and 30 seconds.
For a contactless thermometer, it is necessary to count at least 30 euros, specifying that the temperature obtained will not be perfectly exact as we mentioned previously. Finally, for a professional ear thermometer, it is advisable to consider a minimum expenditure of 50 euros, but the displayed temperature will correspond to the central temperature of the child.
Benefits of baby thermometer
In short, a baby thermometer reconciles practicality, with the concern to cause the least discomfort to the child who may already be upset because of fever, reliability because in all cases the thermometer will provide information on the temperature of the infant .
Mistakes to avoid
It is essential not to use an old mercury thermometer, banned since 1999 in France. Whichever thermometer is chosen and the method of taking the temperature, it is necessary to be gentle with the child and to act calmly, bearing in mind that fever is not a disease but a natural reflex of the child. body to fight an infection.
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